Lawmakers push bills to curb childhood obesity, poor diets

By Francis Allan L. Angelo

Forty-four lawmakers are backing new legislation to combat rising rates of childhood obesity and diet-related diseases in the Philippines.

The proposed Healthy Food Environment (HFE) bills—House Bills 130, 560, 819, and 2660—aim to create safer and healthier food choices by requiring warning labels on pre-packaged foods high in sugar, sodium, or fat, and by restricting their marketing to children.

House Bill 2541, or the Front-of-Package Warning Label (FOPWL) Act filed by Rep. Samantha Santos, reinforces this labeling requirement.

According to the 2023 National Nutrition Survey, 12.9% of children aged 5–10 and 12.5% of adolescents aged 10–19 are overweight or obese.

Among adults, 17.3% are overweight and 39.8% are obese, while 19% of the elderly are overweight and 32.6% are obese.

Experts say these alarming trends are driven by aggressive marketing and widespread consumption of ultra-processed, nutrient-poor foods.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has warned that regular intake of such foods significantly raises the risk of diabetes, heart disease, and certain cancers.

“Sa batas na ito, may kapangyarihan ang Pilipino na protektahan ang kanilang pamilya at mga anak laban sa sakit,” said Rep. Reynolds Michael Tan.

“I urge my fellow lawmakers to support this health measure and secure better health for all Filipinos,” he added.

Rep. Jaime Fresnedi echoed this call, saying, “Panahon na upang siguraduhin na mas madali at ligtas ang pagpili ng masustansyang pagkain.”

“Ito ay tungkol sa kinabukasan ng ating mga anak at kalusugan ng bawat Pilipino,” he said.

“Alalahanin natin na ang masustansyang pagkain ay hindi pribilehiyo kundi karapatan ng bawat Pilipino,” Fresnedi added.

Rep. Nathaniel Oducado, a member of the House Committee on Health, said, “Hindi lang ito usapin ng kalusugan, kundi pati na rin ng gastos ng gobyerno at pasanin ng bawat pamilya.”

“Panahon na para gawing mas accessible ang healthy choices para sa lahat,” he said.

Lawmakers drew inspiration from Chile’s policy reforms, which led to reduced consumption of unhealthy foods, reformulated products, and fewer ads targeting children.

As of September 17, a total of 39 legislators have signed on as co-authors, showing strong support for the bills.

Advocates are urging the House Committee on Health to hold immediate hearings and prioritize preventive health measures.

“These days, we are not just flooded with rainwater,” said Atty. Sophia San Luis, Executive Director of ImagineLaw.

“We are flooded with unhealthy ultra-processed food and marketing that makes it harder to choose to be healthy,” she said.

“It is high time for Congress to step in to protect us,” San Luis added.